So I have now, for the first time, bought used PTI stamps. I was actually looking to sell some duplicates I had and after many attempts on Kajiji and Facebook, I finally got my brain to work and posted it on the Sale/Trade area on the PTI forums. Well after I quickly sold most of my stamps, I started perusing the board for items for sale, when I stumbled on a stamp set that coordinated with some dies I already had.

I had gotten the Cloud dies in my last order, but had not even realized that there was a stamp set that went with them.

Today I bring you my first card from the new (to me) Up, Up & Away set. I have also been trying to get involved in more challenges, they push me to try different things and they give me a deadline so I make time for my card making. So today we are doing Mojo Mondays most recent challenge.

I spent some time (and a few attempts) at the framed area. Trying to get all the colors and bits to fit together, I am now wishing I had been a bit bolder on the text stamp in the upper right corner, you can see it much better in person.

Here is a close up.

I made another card today with the same set, but I have to photograph it before I can post it. I am hoping that with the help of my husband, who is a great photographer and teaches at CPLC, we will build a mini studio with better lighting for taking pictures.

Thanks so much for stopping by and if you haven’t already check out the forums.

So I have officially been an easterner for a whole 5 months. Getting used to Toronto but still missing Edmonton. For anyone who has moved far away from home, you will understand how difficult it can be. It’s been especially hard on my mom, we are close and often would go to the Strathcona Farmers Market early Saturday mornings, or grab a coffee during the week. So during my time away I have made sure to call often, use facetime and in true crafter fashion, made and sent cards. Below is what I sent her a week ago.

I absolutely loved this card and it inspired me to do a take on it:

Miao – A design Blog

And here is my take on it.

I love the layering in this one, as well as the oportunity to use this flower, been wanting to since I got it.

The finished product!

I have always loved the polka dots, and enjoy using them in projects, but something I hadn’t thought of was nesting them. This is the first project I have used the black rhinestones on, still not sure if I love them.

So it has been some time since I have been able to update. I have made lots of projects, but finding the time to post has been the problem. So I thought today I would post the cards I made for Mother’s day and Fathers day. When I got married 7 Years ago, I took on the responsibility of making cards for both sets of parents. I make them very similar and add a twist, like changing from landscape to portrait or adjusting the layout somewhat. I really liked how they all came out this year.

First Mom’s (my mom is my best friend, and I am one of those women blessed with an amazing mother in law)

This was left over from another project and was my inspiration

And this layout is what I designed it around

I just got the Spring Rain card stock and some new dies from PTI and wanted to experiment. You can’t see it very well but each square has a texture or addition.

for My Mom

For my Mom In Law

It took some time sorting out the squares and making sure they were evenly spaced, anyone have any tips for next time I will gladly take them.

Next Dad’s(Both dad’s often let me know how much they love these cards, which is an accomplishment for me, as guy cards are the hardest)

This was my inspiration

And this is what I came up with…

For my Father In Law

For my Papa

I love these alphabet dies! Another new card stock color for me from PTI, Canyon Clay. You can’t see it real well but the patterned paper is a layer below the main front of the card.
Hope you liked, thanks for visiting!

So one of my very best friends is ready to pop, I am even flying across the country after the baby is born so that I can meet the new one. She wont tell me if it is a girl or boy, which is driving me crazy, it means I will have to do some last minute shopping. I was trying to decide what kind of card to make her, I wouldn’t be able to do that last minute, I am way too neurotic.

So when I came across this weeks Dynamic Duo challenge, I felt inspired. Now that I had a color palette, I also wanted to find a layout challenge that I could participate in. As you can tell by my blog name, I really want to start trying new styles and being more creative. I have seen Retro Sketches before, and have wanted to try one of theirs but just couldn’t find the right one. I took a look at the post for this week, and the image actually made me concerned. My mind went blank, but then I kept reading the post and the inspiration cards really gave me the kick start I needed.

You will have to forgive the lighting, I am going to have to find a better way to take pictures, but here is my card,

I got to use one of the new dies from Papertrey Ink and two of the new stamps sets too.

I hand drew the swaddled baby, because I had seen that image and wanted to use it, but alas had no stamp that worked. And I used the background basics to add some fun to the clouds. I added the Ribbon and twine and threw on a few buttons. I can’t help myself with the buttons, I just love them. Some people are addicted to bling, I am hooked on buttons. Hope you like it.

So in the interest of starting to be more original in my cards, I am embarking on my first color Challenge. (and although I am Canadian and color should be spelled colour, I will stick to the USA spelling to maintain consistency) I am taking part in 365 Cards color combo challenge.

I am in love with the green in this, and I just got a pack of Canyon Clay from Papertrey Ink, that I was itching to test out. So this is what I came up with…

I haven’t picked up the new flower die from PTI, but just loved the look of the flowers, so recreated it with scissors. Worked out pretty well. I am diggin the sentiment and how the stamped leaves go behind the words. I think that if I make this one again, I want to spread out the die cut leaves, have it cover more of the card. I will have to play with it.

For some reason my lighting makes the Simply Chartreuse buttons look yellow. But I promise they are a perfect match to the leaves. I finished them off with some twine.

I have always struggled to make cards for guys. I am a ribbon and bling kinda girl, and that doesn’t always fit for the men in your life. I find that when I do make them they are so plain and boring. So I have been working with colors and layering, trying to add some wow, through details. This is my first attempt, I think it turned out pretty good. Of course my dad loved it, but he would love anything I made him, macaroni art included.

My Inspiration is from a Christmas card that the talented Marina Grigsby made, found here.

I had to adjust the layout, I prefer landscapes (ie I always mess up cutting portrait bases). I also loved the idea of cutting out part of your image and leaving it floating.

I used two different sets from Stampin’ up. I am also diggin this Simply Chartreuse from PTI. I tried to rough up the edges, but didn’t fully commit. I think next time I would go a bit further and make sure it looks intentional.

As I am sure you will learn, I am addicted to making matching envelopes. I think it just adds that extra touch. Definitely will make a variation of this again.

A little while back a friend at work asked if I could make her a card. She new I loved to make them and offered to buy one from me. Of course I said no, I need excuses to make cards. I asked what kind of card she would like, what was her friend like. She said that she was girly, but that I should just make whatever I wanted. I coerced a color scheme from her and Below is what resulted.

The colors were purple and teal. I have to apologize for not being able to find my inspiration photo. It is in my Google feed reader somewhere, but for the life of me I cannot locate it. I will update if I do. Sorry for the photo quality, I gave it away before I could look at the pictures.

I loved all the layers in this card.

Thankfully she was thrilled with the card. And actually ended paying with a craft off her own. One of these guys…

Mines name is Bruno. Hope today you get to create something Beautiful today!